Beqa
| Beqa | |
|---|---|
| Island | |
|
Beqa | |
  Beqa Location in Fiji | |
| Coordinates: 18°24′S 178°08′E / 18.400°S 178.133°ECoordinates: 18°24′S 178°08′E / 18.400°S 178.133°E | |
| Country | Fiji |
| Island group | Viti Levu Group |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36 km2 (14 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 462 m (1,516 ft) |
Beqa (pronounced [mbeŋɡa]) is an island in Fiji, an outlier to the main island of Viti Levu, 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to the south. The island has a land area of 36 square kilometres (14 square miles) and reaches a maximum altitude of 462 metres (1,516 feet). Beqa has 9 villages broken into 2 Tikinas or Districts Sawau and Raviravi.
The villages of Dakuibeqa (the chiefly village of the Sawau people), Dakuni, Soliyaga, Naceva and Naseuseu are part of the Tikina (District) of Sawau. The Villages of Nawaisomo, Raviravi, Lalati and Rukua are part of the Tikina (District) of Raviravi.
Tradition
Of the 9 villages on the island, Dakuibeqa (the chiefly village of the Sawau people), Dakuni, Soliyaga and Rukua are noted for the tradition of fire-walking From all the nine villages.
Energy
The Fiji Times reported on 25 February 2006 that over 3000 inhabitants of six villages and five resorts were exploring ways to find a reliable source of power for Beqa. Wind and solar power were being considered, as was a cable across Beqa Strait from the mainland.
Economy
Beqa's main source of income is Tourism, it has 4 resorts: Lawaki Beach House, Beqa Lagoon Resort (formerly Marlin Bay Resort), Kulu Bay Resort, Lalati Resort. Additionally, Royal Davui Resort is located on an Islet off Beqa, Steward Island. No other resorts are planned for Beqa. There is some small scale farming ventures and with improved infrastructure this could be expanded and become a larger revenue earner for the various villages of Beqa.
Beqa has developed a name with off season tomatoes, this is due the unique climate Beqa has which allows for tomatoes to be plated year round.
